Elara
A few days after I was discharged from the hospital, our manager gathered Sasha and me into his office with an expression that was far more excited than usual.
“Miss Kenna is playing golf at the Silver Pines Private Club this afternoon,” he announced.
“This is another opportunity for us to establish a good relationship with GGG.
Remember, don’t rush into business.
Make a good impression first.”
Sasha smiled immediately.
“Don’t worry, sir.
I’ll make sure she remembers us.”
His eyes shifted to me.
“Elara, you’re good at reading people.
Stay close to Miss Kenna if you have the chance.”
I nodded politely.
“I’ll do my best.”
The drive to the golf club should have been quiet.
Unfortunately, Sasha was sitting beside me.
She glanced at my simple white blouse and navy skirt before letting out a soft laugh.
“You really dress like you’re going to an office meeting.”
I ignored her.
But she wasn’t discouraged.
“I suppose that’s your strategy.
Act innocent until everyone trusts you.”
I turned toward the window.
“I came here to work, Sasha.”
”Of course you did.” Her smile widened.
“Just don’t get your hopes up.
Someone like Miss Kenna has met thousands of women prettier and smarter than you.”
I didn’t answer.
Arguing with Sasha never accomplished anything except wasting energy.
Fortunately, the golf club appeared ahead of us before she could continue.
The moment I stepped out of the car, I understood why it was considered exclusive.
The perfectly maintained greens stretched beneath the afternoon sun, and every guest carried themselves with effortless confidence.
Then my eyes landed on a familiar figure.
Damian.
He stood beside Kenna, dressed casually in a dark polo shirt and tailored slacks, a golf club resting against his shoulder.
He looked nothing like the doctor I had met at the hospital and had slept with.
He looked completely at home.
Before he could notice me, I instinctively lowered my eyes and pretended to admire the scenery.
Why was he everywhere?
Our manager immediately walked toward Kenna with a practiced smile.
“Miss Kenna, it’s wonderful to see you again.”
Kenna greeted him politely before her gaze drifted past him.
The moment she saw me, her expression brightened.
“Beautiful girl.”
I looked up in surprise.
“You came,” she added.
I smiled awkwardly.
“We happened to be nearby for work.”
”Happened?” She laughed.
“I like honest people more.”
Before I could answer, she finished another swing and handed her golf club to the caddie.
Tiny beads of sweat rested near her temple.
Without thinking much about it, I picked up a clean towel from the nearby cart and offered it to her.
“Miss Kenna, would you like a towel?”
She looked at the towel and then at me.
A playful smile slowly spread across her face.
“I have a better idea,” she said, grinning at me.
“Would you mind helping me?”
I blinked.
“H-Helping you?”
She tilted her head.
“Wipe my sweat for me.”
For a second, I froze.
It sounded strangely intimate.
But remembering that she was an important client, I convinced myself she was simply joking.
“If you’re comfortable with it,” I replied politely.
Kenna leaned toward me with obvious amusement.
I carefully dabbed the towel against her forehead and cheek, trying my best to remain professional.
“You looked even prettier in this close distance,” Miss Kenna commented while staring at my face.
“Clear glowing skin.”
I felt awkwardly with our distance but I smiled.
“Thanks for the compliments,” I said and stepped back a little.
“There.
You’re all set.”
Kenna looked delighted.
“I knew I liked you.”
Before I could respond, hurried footsteps approached us.
Sasha appeared with a bright smile.
“Miss Kenna, since we’re all here, perhaps we could discuss a possible partnership between GGG and our company.
We have several proposals that I believe would interest—”
I noticed the slight fatigue in Kenna’s eyes.
She had been under the sun for quite some time.
Without raising my voice, I interrupted gently.
“Miss Kenna has been playing for a while.
Perhaps she should rest and have something to drink first.”
Sasha shot me an irritated look.
“We’re here for business.”
”And we’ll discuss business better when our guest is comfortable.”
For a brief moment, silence settled between us.
Then Kenna laughed.
“I like that answer.”
She accepted a bottle of water from an attendant before turning toward me.
“Come with me.”
Sasha’s smile disappeared.
“What about the meeting?”
Kenna waved her hand casually.
“I’ll meet everyone later.” Then she looked directly at me.
“But I want to borrow Elara first.”
There was no polite way to refuse.
I followed Kenna toward the lounge overlooking the golf course.
Only when I stepped inside did I realize someone was already seated there.
Damian… again.
He looked up the moment we entered.
Our eyes met for less than a second before I quickly looked away and sat in the nearest empty chair.
Unfortunately, that chair happened to be beside him.
I could almost feel Sasha glaring at me from across the room.
Kenna settled comfortably into her seat and accepted a glass of iced tea.
After taking a sip, she looked between Damian and me with unmistakable curiosity.
“Can I ask you something, Elara?”
I smiled and nodded.
“Of course, what is it?”
”Do you have a boyfriend?”
The question caught me completely off guard.
For some reason, I became aware of Damian’s presence beside me.
I could almost feel him waiting for my answer.
After everything that had happened, continuing the lie suddenly felt exhausting.
So I shook my head.
“No.”
Kenna’s eyes widened dramatically.
“No boyfriend?”
I laughed nervously.
“Yeah, no.”
She immediately reached across the table and lightly touched my hand.
“Wonderful.”
I stared at her.
“Wonderful?”
She smiled without the slightest embarrassment.
“Then would you like to date me instead?”
The lounge fell completely silent.
I nearly dropped the glass I was holding.
Across the table, I caught the smallest movement from Damian.
He had been perfectly composed until that moment.
But now, I thought I saw his jaw tighten.